Go ahead and point to the chapter and page that states they were in contact. Are you just assuming they were, because Iris was excited to accept Luke's offer? Also, let's say theye were, for the argument's sake - it would have to be through letters or some other way of remote correspondence. You know that it's very hard to tell if the other person is being forthcoming with you and not under some external pressure in such a scenario, right? That's why people insist on talking in person, when such matters are concerned.
Before finding fault with my attention span, try to learn to listen to something other the thoughts in your own head. I verly clearly said it was a matter of the general reputation he has among his people. The fact that he's loved by his family and close friends (like just about anyone, who hasn't grown up in a shitty environment, no matter how much of a failure they personally are) doesn't change that. Think for a moment: if it was all so trivial, then why did the king finally decide enough is enough and got rid of him, rather than just keep him out of the public's eye for a bit? Why did his fiancee's father annul the engagement? Why was said fiancee "labeled a disgrace" for her involvement with him? Does all that sound like something that would happen to a "pervy, overconfident" prince, who only had one serious black mark against him? Whatever his true character was, it's undeniable that he was a disaster to his father and other nobles, from an image standpoint.
As for the the school - a royal is expected to attend an elite school, he'd be a total laughing stock if he didn't. It was still pretty damn bad though - his performance on the test was so poor that a less distinguished school refused to take him, even when asked personally by his father. This fact alone suggests that the Dragon Academy might not have accepted him based on merit alone.
I'm sorry, how much education have you had when it comes to feudalism and monarchies of the past? You've implied there's something wrong with my knowledge, but this reasoning is borderline childlish. Have you no notion of what a political marriage really means? Have you any idea what kind of shenanigans the European dynasties got up to, when it comes to selecting candidates? It certainly didn't have anything to do with their personal merits, that I can promise you. Zeno could have any number of uses for him in mind. The most common move would be to have Luke or his children be claimants for the neighbouring kingdom's throne after the old king dies. Depending on the political situation there (i.e. if there's already discord and a dispute), they might have a shot and even if not, they remain means to sow discord there and useful bargaining chips. This was a common tactic in medieval Europe, but it's not the only one possible. Luke can be used to apply pressure to Volg in other ways. Setting him up for some spectacular failure and then demanding restitution from Volg's king is also a good way to influence foreign politics. It's not like Zeno needs to make him heir to his throne just because he married his daughter either. Plenty can be done.
Consider that you, as a reader know that initially there were no other plans for Luke other than being a "stud", but how is the count to know that was the case? Even if he did, the whole premise is would be weird enough that it would be reasonable of him to suspect a deeper plot. This kind of treatment would be acceptable for a lesser noble, not a royal. It also speaks volumes of how little Luke's kingdom thought of him.
Oh, by all means, don't ignore it. Show me how wrong I am by pointing to some nice sources. You can do that, can't you? After all, you seem so confident here...
Geez, and I'm supposed to be the one who's not paying attention? Chapter 26.2 - Luke calls himself a "prince from another country" in front of the count. What on Earth made you think that Iris's family are from Volg? Since you're so adamant about it, point out where it's stated in "these very chapters!!!".
